November 21, 2014 by
Ensuring the highest quality of home care for our clients is At Home Independent Living’s mission. Because of this, we are committed to making sure our clients and their loved ones are consistently made aware of new developments in the science of elder care. As one of the top rated home care companies in Syracuse, New York, we believe that education is an important part of the services we provide.
According to a study published in 2004, chronic insomnia and related anxiety are more common among the elderly than the general population. Individuals with anxiety and chronic insomnia know what it is like to feel miserable on a daily basis. That is why many people who suffer from these conditions seek help from their doctors who often prescribe sedatives, including drugs known as benzodiazepines (Ativan, Xanax, Valium, and Klonopin). However, more and more research is emerging that indicates that long-term use of these drugs can be dangerous.
Doctors and health organizations note that there are higher rates of falls, automobile accidents, cognitive impairment issues, and an increase in emergency room visits among older adults who take sedative-hypnotic medications like benzodiazepines. In fact, a new study notes that the more cumulative days a person uses these drugs, the higher the risk is that he or she will later be diagnosed with dementia.
Short-term use of the medications seems to still be OK, however. According to the study, older people who took prescribed doses for 90 days or fewer showed no increased risk for dementia. Find out more about this study and the risks of long-term benzodiazepine use in this article.
The professional caregivers at At Home Independent Living provide not only medication reminders but are also trained to recognize early warning signs of a potential health complication. This can often avert an emergency admission to the hospital. Contact us today to find out more about our home care services in Syracuse, New York.